“South Dakota, United States” on The Daily Caller

Rising Republican star Kristi Noem is solidifying her lead in the South Dakota House race and now leads incumbent Democrat Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin by five points, according to a new poll. (more)

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the “Daschle slayer” who beat the Senate Democratic leader in 2004, is ramping up plans for a presidential run in 2012, associates say. (more)

Last week was a good one for picks – 12 wins, 4 losses. So this week will likely be far worse. (more)

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Cancer has ravaged several of Ann Aberson’s relatives, so she doesn’t have a problem with her two teenage daughters wearing bracelets to raise awareness of breast cancer. (more)

Sen. John Thune has already spent more than $4.6 million on a re-election campaign that doesn’t have an opponent. (more)

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) said Friday that he expects former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) to be among the crowd of GOP presidential candidates in 2012. (more)

“This is personal but John Thune is somebody that I have nightmares about,” says DNC executive director Jennifer O’Malley Dillon.  O’Malley Dillon has worked for Tim Johnson and Tom Daschle; both men were defeated by John Thune.  Thune ousted Tim Johnson in ’96 for a seat in the House of Representatives and in 2004 Thune unseated then Senate Minority Leader and Leader of the Senate Democrats, Tom Daschle.  The DNC director also noted of Thune: “He has his head down and is doing some policy stuff. [You] just got to start looking at him.”  Thune is also running for re-election this year but has no Democrat or Republican challengers. (more)

Heritage Action for America, the Heritage Foundation’s grassroots advocacy spin-off, is urging congressional leaders to sign on to Iowa Rep. Steve King’s discharge petition, aimed at repealing Obamacare. (more)

Top Republican party officials are questioning the health of the Republican National Committee’s (RNC) finances following an announcement that the RNC will have $12 million less to spend on “get out the vote” efforts for November’s midterm elections than anticipated in previous budget projections. (more)

Topics – Offloading Fannie and Freddie Woes to Banks, Brokers New Duty, GM IPO –  Soon and Strange, AIG Seeking Buyers and Markets Down yet again. (more)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Unemployment rates fell in a majority of states last month as improved economic conditions spurred hiring. (more)